Buraidah on the right road
Work included resurfacing more than 230 km of roadway with asphalt to enhance the efficiency of the road network, improve traffic flow, and minimize damage caused by frequent usage.
Municipal projects also included pothole repairs on 247,000 square meters of roadway and crack sealing over about 2.46 million square meters, contributing to longer road lifespans and heightened safety standards.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia inks Turkish defense deals to accelerate localization of land systems
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian Military Industries has signed technology transfer-focused agreements with three leading Turkish defense firms to accelerate the localization of advanced land systems manufacturing in the Kingdom. The Public Investment Fund-owned group signed the deals with Nurol Makina, FNSS, and Aselsan under the patronage and presence of Khalid bin Hussein Al-Biyari, assistant minister of defense for executive affairs; Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries; and Haluk Gorgun, president of Turkiye's Defense Industries Agency, according to a statement. Driven by Vision 2030 goals, the Kingdom is pursuing defense self-sufficiency to reduce reliance on imports. At the forefront of this transformation is SAMI, established in 2017, with a mandate to localize 50 percent of the country's defense spending by the end of the decade through strategic partnerships and joint ventures with leading global manufacturers. 'The agreements were signed by Mohammed bin Saud Al-Hodaib, executive vice president of SAMI Land. Each of the recently signed agreements varies in scope and purpose, with the ultimate goal of localizing SAMI Land's capabilities.' SAMI said. It added that the first agreement with Nurol Makina focuses on technology transfer and the manufacturing of military vehicles produced by the Turkish company, while the deal with FNSS Defense Systems outlines cooperation on technology transfer and the production of armored combat vehicles and weapon turrets. 'SAMI Land will also leverage its agreement with ASELSAN (Askeri Elektronik Sanayi), for technology transfer to localize the manufacturing of combat turret systems within Saudi Arabia,' the statement said. Technology transfer and manufacturing under these agreements will take place at the SAMI Land Industrial Complex, or SLIC, which is scheduled to begin operations in the fourth quarter of this year and will adhere to the highest international standards for land systems manufacturing. 'It will serve as a center of excellence for the manufacturing of 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8 armored vehicles, in addition to armed turrets.' SAMI said, adding that SLIC operates under Industry 4.0 standards, leveraging artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics to carry out advanced unmanned operations managed by intelligent systems, thereby enhancing efficiency and quality without direct human intervention. The statement said that SAMI Land is committed to advancing the company's strategic objectives by supporting the localization of the Kingdom's defense industries through the development of advanced industrial capabilities and the delivery of high-quality products and services across the entire product lifecycle, meeting the needs of its clients. Al-Ohali inaugurated the Saudi pavilion at the International Defense Industry Fair, IDEF 2025, being held at the Istanbul Fair Center from July 22 to 27, as part of SAMI's expanding global presence. During the event, Al-Ohali met with Haluk Gorgun, where they discussed recent developments in the defense industry and explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, reflecting the depth of strategic ties between the two countries and supporting the Kingdom's aspirations for more impactful partnerships in this vital sector. As part of GAMI's efforts to enhance localization, the Saudi pavilion at IDEF 2025 saw Al-Esnad Factory, a leading Saudi private facility specializing in military parts manufacturing, sign three memorandums of understanding with leading Turkish companies, including MDH Makel Group, AKSA Group, and Ayyazilim Co. 'These strategic partnerships reflect GAMI's efforts to enable the sector and transfer and localize technology,' the authority said in a post on X. Last July, SAMI signed MoUs with Turkish firms Baykar, Fergani Space, and Aselsan to localize capabilities in drones, aerospace, and advanced electronics, further strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and enhancing the Kingdom's industrial base.
ArabGT
4 days ago
- ArabGT
Meet Aurus: Russia's Answer to Rolls-Royce Soon Built in Saudi Arabia
In a recent interview with Russia's TASS news agency, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Al-Khorayef, revealed the Kingdom's openness to international automotive brands interested in establishing production lines within Saudi Arabia. 'We are working toward producing more than 300,000 vehicles locally, which accounts for nearly 40% of the market,' the minister stated, adding that Saudi Arabia welcomes any brand seeking to set up localized manufacturing operations. Among the names drawing particular attention is Aurus, the Russian luxury carmaker known for crafting the official presidential vehicle used by President Vladimir Putin. Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in assembling Aurus vehicles domestically—part of the country's broader efforts to develop its automotive industry and localize production capabilities. From State Limousines to Civilian Icons Founded in 2018, Aurus Motors began as a state-backed initiative to develop a new fleet of official motorcade vehicles for the Russian presidency, replacing the Mercedes-Benz S 600 Pullman Guard. The brand debuted its flagship sedan, the Aurus Senat, for civilian use in May 2021. According to the automaker, 115 units were sold in 2023, and facelift versions are scheduled for 2026 and 2030. A refreshed model was already delivered to President Putin in 2024. The name 'Aurus' combines the Latin word aurum (meaning gold) or aura with 'Rus,' symbolizing a blend of prestige and Russian heritage. A National Project with Global Ambitions Aurus's development began in 2013 through NAMI, the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute, with the goal of crafting a fully homegrown Russian state limousine. In 2018, the Aurus Kortezh line was officially introduced, comprising the Senat sedan and limousine, the Arsenal van, and the Komendant SUV—each named after towers of the Kremlin. In 2019, Abu Dhabi-based Tawazun Holding acquired a 36% stake in Aurus Motors for $124 million, with plans to distribute the vehicles across the Middle East. Civilian production began in May 2021 at the Ford Sollers plant in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, which also produces the Russian-market Ford Transit. Launch pricing started at approximately 18 million rubles (around $243,000), with the limited launch edition priced at 22 million rubles (about $297,000). Luxury Meets Performance: Aurus Lineup As of today, the Aurus lineup includes four main models: the standard Senat sedan, a limousine variant, an extended-wheelbase edition, and the Komendant SUV. Armored versions are also available to meet the needs of dignitaries and VIP clients. The Komendant SUV is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It delivers 598 horsepower, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 220 km/h. It measures 5380 mm in length, 2004 mm in width, 1819 mm in height, and weighs 3175 kg, with a ground clearance of 230 mm. The Senat shares the same hybrid V8 setup but offers slightly higher performance, with a 0–100 km/h sprint in just 6 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. Its dimensions are 5632 mm in length, 2020 mm in width, and 1689 mm in height, with a ground clearance of 200 mm and curb weight of 3235 kg.
Argaam
4 days ago
- Argaam
Transport Minister launches trial phase of autonomous vehicles
Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Transport General Authority (TGA) Saleh Al-Jasser launched today the initial pilot phase of autonomous vehicles in Riyadh. The autonomous vehicles will operate in this phase within a real-world environment, covering King Khalid International Airport and several key locations in Riyadh, which include highways and selected destinations in the city center, state-run news agency SPA reported. The phase is implemented under TGA's direct regulatory and technical supervision. During this stage, the vehicles will transport passengers with a safety officer present in each vehicle to ensure safety and monitor the performance of smart systems under real conditions. This project comes as a result of a complementary partnership among the transport and logistics ecosystem and related entities. These include the Ministry of Interior, the digital economy, space and innovation ecosystem, the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), along with the private sector represented by technology and operations partners Uber, WeRide and AiDriver. The autonomous vehicles are ten times safer than those driven by humans, Al-Jasser said, in an interview with Al Ekhbariya TV channel.
